Education

Differential rater function over time (DRIFT) during student simulations

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Background The field of paramedicine continues to advance in scope. Simulation training is frequently used to teach and evaluate students. Simulation examinations are often evaluated using a standardised global rating scale (GRS) that is reliable and valid. However, differential rater function over time (DRIFT) has not been evaluated when using the GRS during simulations. Aims This study aimed to assess if DRIFT arises when applying the GRS. Methods Data were collected at six simulation...

Students' experience and perceived value of a clinical simulation centre

Background: The emergence of new technology and innovation has seen dedicated simulation centres being designed and built to assist with the development of a range of professionals within the ever-changing healthcare setting. Focusing on the university environment, this study examined the extent to which paramedic students perceive these simulation centres as efficient and effective learning spaces. Methods: Using evaluation research, data were collected from 33 students studying paramedic...

‘Giving a piece of you’: the lecturer experience of aiding student wellbeing

Background: The mental health of ambulance clinicians is a national priority. For student paramedics, the risk and inherent vulnerability to poor mental wellbeing are significant. However, evidence exploring support in universities for paramedic students and the role of academic faculty in this within paramedic preregistration programmes is limited. Aims: To explore the experiences and perceptions of university lecturers towards supporting student paramedic wellbeing. Methods: A qualitative...

Remote-facilitated mental simulation to bridge the theory-practice divide

Remote simulation in education predates the COVID-19 pandemic, and its more widespread contemporary use can help inform future teaching practices. This article outlines the development of a remote-facilitated mental simulation (RFMS) delivered to second-year paramedic science students at a UK university. This was created using Sprick et al's simulation design model: preparation, briefing, simulation activity, debriefing, reflection and evaluation. Mental simulation is a teaching modality where...

Are paramedic graduates effectively prepared for death? A scoping review

Paramedics often come across death because of the nature of their work. Attending an incident involving the death of a patient could affect a paramedic's mental health. A scoping literature review surrounding the readiness and education regarding death in the prehospital setting for paramedic students was carried out. Given the potential impact upon practitioner mental health, the review aimed to determine the quality and extent of new research regarding education in death for paramedics. Four...

Building ad-hoc team social capital through simulation

The concept of high functioning healthcare teams is complex and competencies have been developed primarily from aviation. High-functioning healthcare teams, including those formed in an ad-hoc manner, are crucial to positive patient outcomes. Social capital theory identifies structural, cognitive and relational dimensions involved in the formation of trusting, cohesive relationships. Theories of social capital can be used to advise the development of interprofessional simulation-based education....

Effectiveness of e-learning to develop the ability to recognise and manage stroke

Background: With stroke continuing to affect people in the UK and around the world, the need to develop health professionals in the management of patients with the condition and ensuring staff can meet the requirements of guidelines is key. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of e-learning to develop ambulance staff in the management of acute stroke and stroke mimics by looking at their engagement with the course and knowledge attainment. Method: A small-scale study focused on...

Frameworks that guide curriculum development in Australian higher education

Background: In Australia, accrediting body competencies reflect paramedic professional practice rather than informing curriculum development for higher education institutions. Purpose: This article will investigate frameworks that can be used to design curriculum development. Method: An initial focused discourse analysis of the grey literature was undertaken followed by a systematic review. Findings: Three of the 18 institutions in Australia and New Zealand that offer paramedic education...

Student paramedic decision-making: a critical exploration of a patient interaction

Clinical decision-making is a multifaceted construct, requiring the practitioner to gather, interpret and evaluate data to select and implement an evidence-based choice of action. Clinical reasoning is a difficult skill for students to develop due in part to the inability to guarantee awareness or opportunity to develop within time spent in practice. While professional developments within the past few years have established a supportive preceptorship programme within NHS trusts for new paramedic...

Undergraduate paramedics' understanding of mental health insight placements

Aims: Paramedics are often patients' first point of contact during mental health crises, and are increasingly responding to mental health emergencies. Paramedic training focuses predominantly on trauma and emergency physical healthcare rather than mental health difficulties. A UK-based pilot evaluation study aimed to find out whether providing mental health ‘insight’ placements for paramedic students in a local mental health trust would improve their understanding of patients with mental health...

Changing paramedic students' perception of people who self-harm

Aim: This study aimed to identify whether paramedic students' perceptions of patients who self-harm changed following an educational intervention. Background: Self-harm is a major public health concern with an increasing number of incidents being reported in England. Paramedics are often the first contact for those who self-harm and antipathy to these patients among caregivers, including paramedics, has been reported. Negative attitudes to patients who self-harm from health professionals is a...

A ‘think aloud’ exercise to develop self-awareness of clinical reasoning in students

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the ‘think aloud’ teaching exercise's ability to develop clinical reasoning skills of student paramedics, and to ascertain its feasibility as an ongoing method to enhance clinical reasoning teaching and potentially alleviate problems around applying theoretical learning to practice. Methods: A qualitative approach was taken to seek the opinions and experiences of students taking part in the activity to determine levels of enjoyment, how relatable it was to...

Student paramedics' views on placements in general practice as part of a degree

Background: Frontline paramedics are increasingly attending to non-emergency problems and calls that could be managed by a primary care provider. Alongside this, there is a growing pressure to manage patients at home or use an alternative care pathway and reduce hospital conveyance. Student paramedic training, including both placement and taught elements at university, should therefore reflect this. However, placement opportunities for student paramedics in primary care settings is variable...

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